Customer Recounts Her "WaMu Nightmare"

Once upon a time, WaMu was known for having great customer service (especially for a bank). Then they became known for their amusing commercials about their great customer service, and still being pretty decent (for a bank). Now they're known for losing their shirt in the housing bubble.

We have no idea what their customer service is like, because we long ago left them for WSECU and USAA. But a nightmarish account by one customer, Krissy, manages to make having a barcode stapled to your head seem like a relatively pleasant experience. Her purse was stolen in October, she contacted WaMu to safeguard her accounts -- and she's still dealing with multiple screwups on their end, three months later.:

I wrote my letter, faxed it and mailed it, and naturally, heard nothing. Then on December 31st, I signed online to check up on things. And that very day, there was a whopping credit-reversal in my late checking account, putting it into the negative for hundreds of dollars. I. Was. PISSED. No scratch that -- I *am* pissed, as here I sit on January 9th, 2008 and STILL haven't gotten my credit back -- despite calling Risk Operations and being told "Oh how funny! We received your letter the same day as the credit reversal. Sorry 'bout that. But don't worry, once they process everything they should reissue the credit to the account."

Consumerist bullet-points the saga's highlights for you -- and recommends that Krissy file a written complaint with WaMu and their regulatory agency. When regulatory agencies need to get involved, you know it's horrible customer service.